The Gift of Repentance could be a word of testimony by it's self. I was once a person who thought that God would only be pleased with my confession of sin if I promised not to do it again. That became more and more of a problem when I found that all I was doing was lieing to God. I could not stop sinning , to please Him. Even a word to my heart from Him , that He did not want me to be good , in my own strength , did not have an immediate effect on the way I interacted with God.
In time I learned that even repentance was a gift from Him and that for situations that were uncommon in my life , I might have to wait years before I would be able to use that gift .
The key to being able to use the gift of repentance is teachableness . Sometimes the word of testimony the Lord gives me has to do with building a foundation , a renewing of my mind , so that I won't sin. Sometimes I think that I should go looking for a word of testimony on my own. Like a detective I think my street savy will lead me just to the word I need for the day.
There are a couple of guys in the Bible that thought they were pretty smart too. Now I do not know a lot about the historical facts but I do know the Spirit , and the Spirit reminded me of these guys .
Lev 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
Num 3:4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.
From what I understand this place that Nadab and Abihu were suppose to perform their duty was in a very important place , right before the vail that [is] by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that [is] over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. Ex 30:6
You know I did not mess with the scriptures this morning and change it up. I have always thought the ark of the covenant was called the ark of the covenant. I can only trust that God has something very special to lead me to as I meditate on these words of testimony today.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Hath God Said ?
Having a perspective of God and sharing it is not harmful , unless I distort what God hath said.
I realize every day I know God more and more thus my perspective of Him intensifies. He becomes more my God everyday that I embrace His Word.
My word of testimony today is : 2 Cr 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
As I embrace this word I will probably have more to say about it. The desire to rid myself of idols is healthy but only possible with God . That means impossible if I plan to do this in my own strength. God's strength is imparted to me in His Word through the Spirit .
I realize every day I know God more and more thus my perspective of Him intensifies. He becomes more my God everyday that I embrace His Word.
My word of testimony today is : 2 Cr 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
As I embrace this word I will probably have more to say about it. The desire to rid myself of idols is healthy but only possible with God . That means impossible if I plan to do this in my own strength. God's strength is imparted to me in His Word through the Spirit .
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Spirit
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
When I open my heart and mind to the Holy Spirit to give me songs of praise , I must also guard that I do not quench the Spirit , or there will be no song. Also I pray to stay aware that I do not grieve the Spirit nor deny the power of the Holy Spirit. God's word tells me that it is possible to lie to the Holy Spirit .
If my most valuable tool I can have in this life is the sword of the Spirit , I think it wise to be mindful of the Spirit .
I almost lied about something the other day.
How be it in my defense and also the person assuring me that I should sign these forms , the forms were confusing . What they said and what the company that was asking me to sign them, wanted to know is probably two different things. However, after praying about it , I called the worker up and said I would not sign the papers . I told her , since I was wanting God's help in this matter , I know it best to do things God's way.
In my past I have lied . Lieing somehow is a kin to unbelief. I won't get what I want , or I might even believe that what God wants , won' t happen , unless I lie, must have been my thoughts.
Today I trust God . There are a few giants out there that do not want what God wants, also. However , when the time is right , I will have the sword of the Spirit in my hand , just like I have His praise in my mouth.
When I open my heart and mind to the Holy Spirit to give me songs of praise , I must also guard that I do not quench the Spirit , or there will be no song. Also I pray to stay aware that I do not grieve the Spirit nor deny the power of the Holy Spirit. God's word tells me that it is possible to lie to the Holy Spirit .
If my most valuable tool I can have in this life is the sword of the Spirit , I think it wise to be mindful of the Spirit .
I almost lied about something the other day.
How be it in my defense and also the person assuring me that I should sign these forms , the forms were confusing . What they said and what the company that was asking me to sign them, wanted to know is probably two different things. However, after praying about it , I called the worker up and said I would not sign the papers . I told her , since I was wanting God's help in this matter , I know it best to do things God's way.
In my past I have lied . Lieing somehow is a kin to unbelief. I won't get what I want , or I might even believe that what God wants , won' t happen , unless I lie, must have been my thoughts.
Today I trust God . There are a few giants out there that do not want what God wants, also. However , when the time is right , I will have the sword of the Spirit in my hand , just like I have His praise in my mouth.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The God of Who?
I want to be sure I am following the right God. He is there for me to follow. He is there for me to know. He is there for me to be known by Him.
After listening to a review on The Shack , I wondered if I read this book , will I lose sight of the God I know. This book changed the perspective of the person giving the review. The Black Velvet Elvis has had the same effect on people. Pilgrim's Progress has probably helped shape my perspective of what God is like. As I read Timothy Stoner's The God Who Smokes , I kept saying in my heart , oh finally , someone who knows the God I know.
In the Old Testament I read a lot about the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
In John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If I continue to seek to find the more perfect way, love truth more than anything, and accept the resurrection life Jesus has given me , I surely will come to know the right God.
After listening to a review on The Shack , I wondered if I read this book , will I lose sight of the God I know. This book changed the perspective of the person giving the review. The Black Velvet Elvis has had the same effect on people. Pilgrim's Progress has probably helped shape my perspective of what God is like. As I read Timothy Stoner's The God Who Smokes , I kept saying in my heart , oh finally , someone who knows the God I know.
In the Old Testament I read a lot about the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
In John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If I continue to seek to find the more perfect way, love truth more than anything, and accept the resurrection life Jesus has given me , I surely will come to know the right God.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Will there be rain or hail ?
So today my journey has brought me to a place where there are several people in turmoil because the rules keep changing. I want to help these people find peace so I've prayed and His answer may be " to give grace. "
I once worked for a business that required me to persuade customers to use a service. Then they were to sign a contract . In this form written contract were some blank lines that I was to fill in , as to according to the agreement.
So when I handed in my first signed contract I was surprised to learn from my employer that what I had written on the lines did not please him. The rules are .............. and he proceeded to tell me. So then I found another customer , once again this customer signed the contract after I had filled in the blank lines. This time I was sure I had done as my employer said, but no. He called me up and told me I had done it wrong again. It wasn't long and his secretary called me and when I asked her about the rules changing , she said, "this is just the way he is , what ever seems to be right to him on any given day , these are the rules. "
Now that position probably provided about five to ten per cent of my monthly income . For these people whose full time employment could be affected by how well they follow the rules , I have to assume their distress is much greater than mine was.
I did not walk through that experience with victory . However, if I could do it over , I think the answer would be grace.
I will tell you what I am thinking . Remembering this is my word of testimony , I believe by basing my choices on God's words , He is with me.
When people truly need a word of correction , I think it best to find grace for their mistake first. If you address their mistake with the attitude of surely a donkey would know better than to do that. I think you just might find out how ineffective that would be.
So what kind of grace am I talking about giving ? Well , take me for instance. I tell my daughter this is what I want her to do and then I change it up. I have good reasons of course , but I am really causing her a lot of frustration. What is going on ?
Am I really a double minded person who doesn't know what I want her to ?
If I am double minded person , what hope could there be for me ?
I will tell you. There is a lot of hope. I once was a double minded person but I started placing my trust in God's word and living like I trusted in it. I have become less double minded as time goes on. However , when I was the greatest depth of double mindedness , someone gave me grace. Someone corrected me yes, but at the same time they introduced me to grace.
I share with you an excerpt from Pilgrim's Progress
CHRISTIAN: Then said Christian, What means this?
INTERPRETER: The Interpreter answered, This parlor is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first, is the law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now whereas thou sawest, that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, (Rom 7:9 ) put strength into, (1 Cr 15:56) and increase it in the soul, (Rom 5:20) even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give power to subdue. Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure, this is to show thee, that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit.
So what I am saying here is I think in order to walk beside the people who are now in distress because of bosses who have changing rules , I should line myself up to God's word the best I can.
However, if I line up with God's word , receive grace and desire to give grace , it is for God to decide their fate. It may rain upon them , as it has me, or He may judge them (the bosses) , as He promised to do in Rev. send hail.
May my own heart be fit for the King of glory to inhabit before I go on.
Rom 5:20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
I once worked for a business that required me to persuade customers to use a service. Then they were to sign a contract . In this form written contract were some blank lines that I was to fill in , as to according to the agreement.
So when I handed in my first signed contract I was surprised to learn from my employer that what I had written on the lines did not please him. The rules are .............. and he proceeded to tell me. So then I found another customer , once again this customer signed the contract after I had filled in the blank lines. This time I was sure I had done as my employer said, but no. He called me up and told me I had done it wrong again. It wasn't long and his secretary called me and when I asked her about the rules changing , she said, "this is just the way he is , what ever seems to be right to him on any given day , these are the rules. "
Now that position probably provided about five to ten per cent of my monthly income . For these people whose full time employment could be affected by how well they follow the rules , I have to assume their distress is much greater than mine was.
I did not walk through that experience with victory . However, if I could do it over , I think the answer would be grace.
I will tell you what I am thinking . Remembering this is my word of testimony , I believe by basing my choices on God's words , He is with me.
When people truly need a word of correction , I think it best to find grace for their mistake first. If you address their mistake with the attitude of surely a donkey would know better than to do that. I think you just might find out how ineffective that would be.
So what kind of grace am I talking about giving ? Well , take me for instance. I tell my daughter this is what I want her to do and then I change it up. I have good reasons of course , but I am really causing her a lot of frustration. What is going on ?
Am I really a double minded person who doesn't know what I want her to ?
If I am double minded person , what hope could there be for me ?
I will tell you. There is a lot of hope. I once was a double minded person but I started placing my trust in God's word and living like I trusted in it. I have become less double minded as time goes on. However , when I was the greatest depth of double mindedness , someone gave me grace. Someone corrected me yes, but at the same time they introduced me to grace.
I share with you an excerpt from Pilgrim's Progress
CHRISTIAN: Then said Christian, What means this?
INTERPRETER: The Interpreter answered, This parlor is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first, is the law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now whereas thou sawest, that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, (Rom 7:9 ) put strength into, (1 Cr 15:56) and increase it in the soul, (Rom 5:20) even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give power to subdue. Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure, this is to show thee, that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit.
So what I am saying here is I think in order to walk beside the people who are now in distress because of bosses who have changing rules , I should line myself up to God's word the best I can.
However, if I line up with God's word , receive grace and desire to give grace , it is for God to decide their fate. It may rain upon them , as it has me, or He may judge them (the bosses) , as He promised to do in Rev. send hail.
May my own heart be fit for the King of glory to inhabit before I go on.
Rom 5:20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Trust and Obey
Nah 1:7 The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
My heart is singing melodies to the LORD as I write. He deserves so much praise .
My word of testimony today is a follow up of yesterday. As I wrote my word of testimony I was sure of one thing , that what ever I did , I wanted to stay aware of this God who wants me to know Him.
So as the day's events unfolded and I trusted that the wisdom I had asked for would come. I placed going to get my oil change at about 3:30 . Earlier in the day I started going through my book inventory deciding which ones I would sell at the second hand book store. So when I went to the place I trust to change my oil and it was closed , I decided to take my books in to the resale store.
Here I was blessed with the most wonderful conversation . I was allowed to share the word of my testimony with another believer who like me , was wanting to live her life out loud. This was such a delight and help to me that I have to praise the LORD for allowing this blessed fellowship with another believer.
This was exactly where I was suppose to be , when I was suppose to be there , to receive the blessing I was suppose to get and also give the blessing that I gave from the LORD.
During another part of the day I shared with someone about the sorrow I was experiencing and how I was waiting for the joy to come in the morning . I am still in sorrow but with a melody in my heart. The LORD is with me. That is going to make all of my sorrow filled experiences a lot easier to bare.
I don't want to pretend that I like the big changes that are going on in my life. Without pretence I can tell you that there are plenty of little blessings that are blossoming up at this same time. I am glad the LORD has taught me to rejoice in Him. Where ever He is I can rejoice.
My heart is singing melodies to the LORD as I write. He deserves so much praise .
My word of testimony today is a follow up of yesterday. As I wrote my word of testimony I was sure of one thing , that what ever I did , I wanted to stay aware of this God who wants me to know Him.
So as the day's events unfolded and I trusted that the wisdom I had asked for would come. I placed going to get my oil change at about 3:30 . Earlier in the day I started going through my book inventory deciding which ones I would sell at the second hand book store. So when I went to the place I trust to change my oil and it was closed , I decided to take my books in to the resale store.
Here I was blessed with the most wonderful conversation . I was allowed to share the word of my testimony with another believer who like me , was wanting to live her life out loud. This was such a delight and help to me that I have to praise the LORD for allowing this blessed fellowship with another believer.
This was exactly where I was suppose to be , when I was suppose to be there , to receive the blessing I was suppose to get and also give the blessing that I gave from the LORD.
During another part of the day I shared with someone about the sorrow I was experiencing and how I was waiting for the joy to come in the morning . I am still in sorrow but with a melody in my heart. The LORD is with me. That is going to make all of my sorrow filled experiences a lot easier to bare.
I don't want to pretend that I like the big changes that are going on in my life. Without pretence I can tell you that there are plenty of little blessings that are blossoming up at this same time. I am glad the LORD has taught me to rejoice in Him. Where ever He is I can rejoice.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Before I give my word of testimony today I want to say how grateful I am to others who share their word of testimony. Had it not been for their desire to obey God and give their word of testimony I would not be where I am today.
The first words of testimony are found in the Bible. When I pick up the words of testimony from God's Holy Word I am strengthened . When others share how they have experienced the same strength , how their lives were changed because they did apply God's word to their lives , the help is amplified . Then when I am in a soggy mire that sounds strangely familiar to theirs , I suddenly find steps to help me out of it , and praise the LORD , I am on solid ground once again.
Such is the case today . I must acknowledge some of the people ( not all ) , whose word of testimony has helped me up.
A personal testimony by Sheila Walsh has given me hope . She placed her word of testimony on
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
In my opinion the whole book of James has scriptures that I find hard to receive grace to live. I know the grace must be there because James lived them. I think when trying to live God's Word I must be careful to acknowledge the context. Was James saying that in any area I wish to have wisdom I can ask of God ?
That is why Sheila's testimony is such a blessing . She put it to needing wisdom about what speaking engagement's to accept. Early in her career she had been given the most awesome opportunity to speak on television, live. ( I can not do the testimonies justice so please note they can be found in her books Bringing Back the Joy and Life Is Tough But God Is Faithful . ) Just the day before the event she came down with laryngitis . Not just a light case, it literally took her voice away.
As she cried out to God , in her heart , as to why He would allow this to happen , she received the word that I think changed her life , as it has changed millions of others. It reminded me of my own word from God, as it probably will remind you of yours. He told her there were many people out there to tell people about Him. He was looking for people who wanted to know Him.
She took that word to her heart. No, I don't mean she tried to figure out if the people she would be speaking to wanted to know God. She realised she would just be spinning her wheels but not going the direction God wanted her to go, if she herself was not taking the time , to get to know Him.
So when she asks God for wisdom about how to spend her time , she is asking in context of knowing Him , and then trusting where she feels led to go is where He wants her to be.
I am really unhappy that God has changed my work schedule . Not only that, He wants me to move to a different house , ( time is not definite here, I keep saying a year or two , but I think He is saying sooner ) . I hate moving , and I liked my old schedule. So I should wait to talk to Him like someone I know , until I get into a better frame of mind , is what I thought.
Even though I was continuing to pray pretty much as I had always done.
But then because the new schedule leaves some unstructured time , I must ask Him for wisdom about how does He want me to fill that time. That is when Shelia Walsh's testimony came to me and has helped me out of the miry clay that I could of stayed in , for who knows how long.
I remember now, it is more important to Him that I continue my on going relationship with Him than just doing something He wants done. He has plenty of people who will do that. So that means I am back to talking to Him , like someone I know , even though the above mentioned things are going on, plus a few others that I am really unhappy about. It is hard to go ahead and talk to Him and believe that He is still wanting to talk to me , but I know He does because I know He loves me as He does. The words of testimony that I have given to declare His love for me have taken root , and I know He loves me even when I am not happy with His plans.
The first words of testimony are found in the Bible. When I pick up the words of testimony from God's Holy Word I am strengthened . When others share how they have experienced the same strength , how their lives were changed because they did apply God's word to their lives , the help is amplified . Then when I am in a soggy mire that sounds strangely familiar to theirs , I suddenly find steps to help me out of it , and praise the LORD , I am on solid ground once again.
Such is the case today . I must acknowledge some of the people ( not all ) , whose word of testimony has helped me up.
A personal testimony by Sheila Walsh has given me hope . She placed her word of testimony on
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
In my opinion the whole book of James has scriptures that I find hard to receive grace to live. I know the grace must be there because James lived them. I think when trying to live God's Word I must be careful to acknowledge the context. Was James saying that in any area I wish to have wisdom I can ask of God ?
That is why Sheila's testimony is such a blessing . She put it to needing wisdom about what speaking engagement's to accept. Early in her career she had been given the most awesome opportunity to speak on television, live. ( I can not do the testimonies justice so please note they can be found in her books Bringing Back the Joy and Life Is Tough But God Is Faithful . ) Just the day before the event she came down with laryngitis . Not just a light case, it literally took her voice away.
As she cried out to God , in her heart , as to why He would allow this to happen , she received the word that I think changed her life , as it has changed millions of others. It reminded me of my own word from God, as it probably will remind you of yours. He told her there were many people out there to tell people about Him. He was looking for people who wanted to know Him.
She took that word to her heart. No, I don't mean she tried to figure out if the people she would be speaking to wanted to know God. She realised she would just be spinning her wheels but not going the direction God wanted her to go, if she herself was not taking the time , to get to know Him.
So when she asks God for wisdom about how to spend her time , she is asking in context of knowing Him , and then trusting where she feels led to go is where He wants her to be.
I am really unhappy that God has changed my work schedule . Not only that, He wants me to move to a different house , ( time is not definite here, I keep saying a year or two , but I think He is saying sooner ) . I hate moving , and I liked my old schedule. So I should wait to talk to Him like someone I know , until I get into a better frame of mind , is what I thought.
Even though I was continuing to pray pretty much as I had always done.
But then because the new schedule leaves some unstructured time , I must ask Him for wisdom about how does He want me to fill that time. That is when Shelia Walsh's testimony came to me and has helped me out of the miry clay that I could of stayed in , for who knows how long.
I remember now, it is more important to Him that I continue my on going relationship with Him than just doing something He wants done. He has plenty of people who will do that. So that means I am back to talking to Him , like someone I know , even though the above mentioned things are going on, plus a few others that I am really unhappy about. It is hard to go ahead and talk to Him and believe that He is still wanting to talk to me , but I know He does because I know He loves me as He does. The words of testimony that I have given to declare His love for me have taken root , and I know He loves me even when I am not happy with His plans.
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